Summary

• Espionage TV and film genres blend action, drama, and thrilling intrigue, as seen in shows like The Americans and Killing Eve.
• Evolution of spy shows emphasizes action-packed storylines or nuanced approaches to espionage, appealing to varying audience preferences.
• Iconic series like Homeland and The Little Drummer Girl provide deep dives into the psychological and moral complexities of spy craft.

Genres within television and film have evolved over the years, with several combining to form new genres and subgenres. One such instance has been spy and espionage TV and movies, which incorporate elements of thrillers, dramas, and more action-oriented fare.

More often than not, spy shows on TV emphasize the action elements of the genre — comparable to movies like James Bond. More rarely, though, shows will lean more toward the espionage side of these stories, in which spies and agents are sent deep into the heart of a convoluted and intriguing plot.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on May 7, 2024: The spy genre is only getting more popular, with series like Reacher and Jack Ryan dominating the television scene. Of the vast catalog of spy/espionage shows to choose from, which are the very best?

20 Alias Is Extremely Watchable If Lacking Some Modern Shine

Alias is an action-thriller series boasting a strong cast that debuted in 2001 and lasted until 2006. Jennifer Garner stars in this J.J. Abrams-created espionage thriller as CIA double-agent Sydney Bristow, who juggles a work-life balance while living as multiple aliases.

In addition to Garner, big names like Quentin Tarantino and Bradley Cooper also appeared in Alias. These cameos added notable pops to many of the over 100 episodes of intense action. Alias may not be as refined as most modern TV shows, placing it at the bottom of this list, but it delivers quintessential spy goodness, even on a rewatch.

19 The Spy Featured an Excellent Dramatic Turn From Sacha Baron Cohen

Sacha Baron Cohen is synonymous with outrageous comedy, but in 2019, he starred in a serious espionage thriller called The Spy. The Spy is an English-language French miniseries following a Mossad spy named Eli Cohen (played by Sacha Baron Cohen).

The Spy follows Eli as he transitions from his time with the Egyptian army to infiltrating the Syrian Ministry of Defense. He assumes a new identity, drawing real-life comparisons to how Baron Cohen often disguises himself for his comedic roles. The series is easy to binge-watch and has everything a short, intense thriller needs, from high stakes to incredible performances.

18 Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Remains One of the MCU's Best TV Outings

The MCU is now quite intimidating to newcomers through its sheer volume of entries and significant historical lore. So, many fans welcomed Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. when it arrived to help fill in the gaps surrounding the events of The Avengers. Initially, the show focused on a surprisingly still alive Agent Coulson, returning after his sacrifice in The Avengers, and had recurring cameos from Maria Hill, Nick Fury, and other MCU mainstays.

Still, the primary focus of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was the titular peacekeeping and spy agency as they sought to locate and solve various unusual, superpowered disturbances. The show lasted over 130 episodes, featured countless twists and turns, and eventually ventured into more sci-fi scenarios. So, it both adds much context to an MCU marathon and is one of the most entertaining spy shows on its own merits. Ten years later, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is still one of Marvel’s best TV shows.

17 The Blacklist Is Filled With Bombastic Espionage Drama and Action

The Blacklist is a crime thriller starring James Spader as a wickedly smart former U.S. Navy Officer-turned-criminal named Raymond “Red” Reddington. Red offers the FBI a blacklist in return for immunity and specific quirky perks.

While The Blacklist dabbles in the thriller, mystery, and crime genres, the focus on Red helping the FBI with his list – which contains the names of various criminals and spies – necessitates the show’s inclusion in the spy and espionage subgenres. Led by Spader’s virtuosic performance, Blacklist has over 200 episodes of spy-centric fun.

16 Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan Introduced a New Generation to an Iconic Character